A comparison of cocaine vs. lidocaine with oxymetazoline for use in nasal procedures

This study compared the degree of vasoconstriction and anesthesia obtained with cocaine vs. that obtained with a mixture of lidocaine and oxymetazoline (lido/oxy) in healthy, male volunteers. Blood flow was evaluated by laser Doppler flowmetry. Anesthesia was measured with Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments, testing both sensation threshold and pain perception. A greater decrease in blood flow was seen after the administration of lido/oxy than after the administration of cocaine. Pain perception change was not significantly different between treatment groups at 10 minutes after removal of the medication-soaked pledget, but lido/oxy caused a greater decrease in pain perception than cocaine after 50 minutes. No significant difference in sensation threshold change was seen between treatment groups. Lidocaine with oxymetazoline is, therefore, believed to be an effective alternative to cocaine for nasal procedures.